Reader comments
Legislators boost staff salaries

So I guess in their eyes it's ok to keep the gas prices among the highest in the country. Hey, if you can collect a pay increase that will offset it then why not? After all, the rest of the working force that pays these people's wages with their taxes will be luck to see a 3% increase in our meager wages.

The price of remaining loyal to the declining Republican brand is going up.

It's interesting to watch legislative leadership dance around on this one. They have been frugal with Executive Branch salary allocations, but not so with their own.

The article overlooks the main reason for the discrepancies of "Do as we say - not as we do." The Legislative approves its own budget, which is always problematic in government. You've got the fox guarding the hen house. What it comes down to is that they can allocate to themselves as much money as they want.

Legislators regularly tell agencies, �If employees are going to leave for higher pay, let them. There�re more bodies where they came from.� But, when faced with the fact their own staff may leave, they are willing to pony up the dollars. It�s an obvious double standard.

But, nothing will come of this. The Legislators will see this as just another �attack from the hostile press� and continue to do as they please. For, unless we vote them out, there is no accountability for their actions.

VOTE OUT THE INCUMBENTS,THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!!

Mr. Curtis, Please, please go. You've made plenty of money as a lobbyist/lawyer for Anderson Development. You don't need the money, Utah doesn't need the bullying from your pulpit and certainly doesn't need the throttle hold that you place on two-party democracy. For the first time in your career, do something for Utah. Go!

Power of the Purse should remain with the people when it comes to deciding the salary of government officials. If government officials believe they need a higher salary then it should be on the ballot. If the people consistently are denying a salary increase maybe we think you are getting paid too much already. Or perhaps we think that your salary shouldn't go up every year when the rest of us don't necessary have yearly salary increases. And if the govt official doesn't like the pay that WE THE PEOPLE DICTATE then go somewhere else. You politicians are a dime a dozen and we will have someone else fill your shoes quickly.

In precis LET THE PEOPLE HAVE POWER OVER GOVT SALARY INCREASES, WHICH IS THIER RIGHT TO HAVE!

I think we need to limit their terms in office just like the the governors and mayors. that way they don't get to comfortable in their posts and maybe they wouldn't be able to pass items that would bolster their private businesses. That may also limit their spending and pay increases.

The problem with letting the public vote for salary increases, is that so many people are apathetic when it comes to educating themselves on the issues. How many of the general public are going to know what a competitive salary is for all of those types of jobs? How do we know what that individual person is worth and what kind of work they do? I think we all know that not all employees are equal. What do you do with the grandmother who has been at her post for 40 years and doesn't want to update her skills. Should her pay be the same as a more ambitious employee who learns cutting edge skills and is contributing and improving what their office can do? How can we as a general public know about that? I personally feel overwhelmed trying to get to know all of the issues and politicians on the ballots already. I think the solution is in part getting people really educated about things and people before they vote. (It sounds like Representative Curtis' district is finally doing that) If you do not feel that a politician is doing their job well, vote them out.

Carole Peterson was one of the best and most experienced House of Representatives Clerks in the nation. Her skills and knowledge are still unmatched. If anyone deserved a raise, it was her. This story was very revealing. Why didn't Greg Curtis treat her fairly?

Increases of 49%? 32%? 80%? 77%? 62%? My oh my.

Where do I stand in line for those kind of increases? It sure hasn't appeared in the teaching or public safety professions.

I just can't wait to vote come November.

I don't have an issue AT ALL with people getting paid good money. Most of the people that are posting on here are the VERY FIRST ONES to complain when government goes bad. If you want smart, good employees that understand the process then you have to pay them. That's the bottom line.

Stop complaining.

In my opinion Legislative Auditors are not paid enough. This is one dept that saves taxpayers money, they are infact the watchdog watching the hen house as opposed to the fox. So if you only want more abuse then go and cut salaries and wages in this dept. As an outside auditor, I am amazed at the quality of work that is routinely generated out of this sector of the government. Look back at the number of articles in the paper that hails all the good work they do. Go on line and read their audit reports and then make a judgement. To just publish salaries without looking at results is an unfair tactic by the D-News and a little supprising. What did salaries do the 5 years prior to your analysis (Down, up, flat)? What is the savings that has been provided to the average tax payer. Do some real financial analysis and lets see what you find!

Blah, blah, blah. You guys are making a mountain out of mole hill. If you want talented managers/analysts/auditors, you have to pay for them. These salaries are not out of line.

Isn't Mrs. Tenney the wife of a Sandy councilman?

Well, Now the truth is out
Time these Republicans are kicked out of office
Utah'ns are having enough problems paying the bils, We don't need frugal Dictators

Salaries over 7 years have increased by 49%. This isn't that far out of line. I teach and have been teaching for 14 years my salary has increased 100% over the 14 years. Of course that includes more education and traing that wasn't paid for, but the state workers probably have to do simmilar things to keep up on things. Went from $20,000 when I started and now make just over $40,000.

Who is this Carole Peterson character - "I want more money so my retirement pension is more lucrative." How about working for it rather than whining and complaining.

I don't know about the rest of the group, but the Legislative Auditors are worth their weight in gold. Not many organizations in state governement can tout the kind of savings and thus benefit to me the tax payer. Look at their audit reports published on their web site. In terms of government, Legislative Audit is a well oil machine.

Note to Carole Peterson: You are not alone. We taxpayers have also had enough of Curtis' crap. Why is this clown seemingly always in the middle of everything? Hopefully, the voters in his district will get rid of him in November.

Makes ya proud to be an American - doesn't it?